Lessons from Living

How much is enough? It’s a question Nashville priest Charles Strobel first pondered as a child—a question that shaped his commitment to living simply and intentionally. In this episode, Beth reflects on Strobel’s wisdom and explores how each of us can bring more peace and clarity into our lives by simplifying our surroundings. Whether your home feels cluttered or your mind feels overwhelmed, you’ll discover practical tips for:

• Decluttering your home with intention
• Creating a more peaceful, organized space
• Making mindful purchasing decisions
• Letting go of what no longer serves you
• Embracing a lifestyle of “enough” rather than “more”

If you’ve ever felt weighed down by too much stuff—or wondered what it might feel like to live lighter—this episode will inspire you to take small steps toward a calmer, more meaningful life.

Parenting a special needs child comes with unique challenges, deep joys, and life-changing lessons. In this heartfelt episode, Julie Adams shares her journey of adopting Lola Ruth, a tiny Bulgarian orphan with Down syndrome, and the struggles of being a special needs parent. From navigating adoption hurdles to facing unexpected medical challenges, Julie opens up about her faith, resilience, and the vital role of community. As a single mother, she’s learned the importance of accepting support for parents with a special needs child—from family, friends, and church. Julie’s story is a reminder that these families need our awareness, compassion, and practical help. Hear how Lola Ruth is already fulfilling God’s plan for her life and why Julie is grateful to be part of it.

Do most people really operate from a place of fear, instead of love? Transformational life coach, Annmarie Chereso believes so, but knows how to change this inclination so that we are nearly always elevating our relationships to be truly grounded in love. Through heightened awareness and some simple practices, every relationship has the potential to change: beloved to beloved, parent to child, sibling to sibling, friend to friend: there is no relationship that can not benefit from AnnMarie's practical strategies. Ready for an "exquisite" life, in all ways? Listen in to Annmarie's wisdom for achieving transformation in your own life and those you love.

[email protected]

@annmariechereso

annmariechereso.me

The Map of Consciousness Explained, David Hawkins

Do you feel pressured to have an opinion about everything, just because our present climate seems to demand it? We're going back in history (a mere 1900 years or so) to see what Marcus Aurelius had to say about this! The peace of your soul just might depend upon your deciding to opt out. Replace focus on trivialities with focus on things that God deems worthy of our time and attention. Real peace is just a few minutes away! Let us hear about what is capturing your attention these days.

How do we share the power of God without sharing our stories? In this episode of Lessons from Living, I reflect on a recent personal encounter with God’s presence and explain why testimonies matter. You’ll hear how sharing life-changing moments can inspire faith, offer hope, and point people toward the redeeming power of Christ. I also share powerful stories of transformation—from addiction to restored relationships—that remind us no situation is beyond God’s reach.

Feeling invisible after sixty? You're not alone—but you're far from done. Pro-age advocate Ande Lyons joins us for an inspiring conversation about breaking free from age-related expectations and rewriting the story of what it means to grow older.

At 69, Ande is the embodiment of vibrant aging. As the host of Don't Be Caged By Your Age, she showcases remarkable individuals thriving well into their 60s, 70s, 80s, and beyond—proving that age is not a limitation, but a launching point.

Together, we explore how to stop internalizing outdated societal narratives and start defining aging on your own terms. If you're ready to embrace your power and possibility in the golden years, this rollicking, uplifting episode is for you.

Show Notes:

Don't Be Caged By Your Age Podcast, on Apple Itunes, Spotify, and everywhere you listen to podcasts.

The Intern, movie with Robert DeNiro and Anne Hathaway

WelcomeToHeidi on Instagram

Women.60.Plus on Instagram

Don't Retire; Rewire: Five Steps to Fulfilling Work..., Jeri Sedlar and Rick Miners

"Sure, it's been done before, but not by you and not for us." Seth Godin

"Base your decisions on your hopes, not your fears." Nelson Mandela

The Blue Zones: Nine Lessons for Living Longer from the People Who've Lived the Longest, Dan Buettner

It's Never Too Late to Begin Again: Discovering Creativity and Meaning at Midlife and Beyond, Julia Cameron

THANK YOU for subscribing to Lessons From Living, and rating and reviewing the podcast on Apple Itunes and Spotify! We love our LFL Community!

Sometimes we denigrate our efforts to jump into faith (or anything else, for that matter) as being "small" and "measly" and hardly worth mentioning.  Especially if you have a tendency toward perfectionism, you might grade your initial attempts as subpar.  This mindset can set you up for discouragement before you're even out the door.

In today's episode, Beth talks about how while we might be critical of our own efforts, God is tickled by our trying: God honors effort.  Hopefully, you'll find encouragement here that'll motivate you to keep moving forward in faith and other aspects of your life as well.

Do you tend to stay stuck in the fallout of painful experiences, or find a way to create something meaningful from them? That’s exactly what Aaron Grunke chose to do after facing a brutal cancer diagnosis and enduring multiple rounds of chemotherapy at just 21 years old.

When physical training helped him heal not just his body, but also his mind and spirit, Aaron knew others needed access to the same kind of support. What started as a personal path to recovery became a calling — and ultimately, Survivor Fitness, a nonprofit that now provides cancer survivors with free access to personal training, nutrition coaching, and mental health therapy.

In this episode, Aaron shares his journey from survival to purpose, and how he found the courage to take action when a dream to serve others was laid on his heart.

When addiction strikes, it doesn’t just impact one person—it shakes an entire family. In this episode of the Lessons from Living podcast, author Kathryn Mae Inman opens up about walking beside her son through years of struggle, including six failed rehab attempts, relapses, and the devastating chaos of addiction.

But this is not only a story of pain—it’s a story of hope. Kathryn shares how faith in Christ became her anchor during the darkest seasons and how her son’s eventual surrender to God led to true healing and restoration. Today, he is living proof that no one is ever too far gone for God’s grace.

If you’re a parent, sibling, or friend of someone battling addiction, this heartfelt conversation—rooted in Kathryn’s book Counting Spoons—offers encouragement, perseverance, and a reminder that God’s redeeming love never fails.

Feeling a little joy-less today? In this snack-sized episode, Beth explores the idea of anticipatory joy—how simply looking forward to something, big or small, can lift your mood and bring a fresh boost of happiness. Inspired by her upcoming trip to Italy with friends, she reflects on how planning and anticipation can be as rewarding as the event itself.

Through personal stories, scientific insights, and practical tips, Beth encourages listeners to embrace the power of having something to look forward to. From vacations and family gatherings to small daily pleasures like coffee dates or finishing a book, she shows how anticipation can soften life’s harder edges and keep us connected to joy.

Whether you’re dreaming of travel or just planning your next brunch with friends, this episode is a reminder that joy isn’t only found in the big moments—it’s in the looking forward, too.